A tragic late-night collision in Des Plaines resulted in the death of 49-year-old Nazly Rodriguez-Munoz, local authorities confirmed. The fatal crash occurred just before midnight Sunday near the intersection of Algonquin Road and Leslie Lane, when the vehicle Rodriguez-Munoz was riding in struck the back of a semi-truck.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly after receiving reports of the serious accident involving a Toyota Prius and a large semi-truck. Officers found Rodriguez-Munoz inside the Prius suffering from severe leg injuries and applied a tourniquet at the scene. She was transported to a nearby hospital by the Des Plaines Fire Department but was pronounced dead from her injuries shortly thereafter.
The Prius was driven by 28-year-old Giovanna Rodriguez-Fuentes, also of Des Plaines. Both women were traveling eastbound on Algonquin Road at the time. Initial police investigations revealed conflicting statements from the drivers. Rodriguez-Fuentes claimed the semi-truck was stationary without lights on and that she didn’t see it in time to avoid the crash. In contrast, the truck driver reported moving slowly eastbound when the Prius rear-ended his trailer.
Authorities have not released additional details about the truck driver’s identity, condition, or potential charges as the investigation continues. Police are examining physical evidence, including skid marks and vehicle damage, as well as any available video footage and data from the Prius’s onboard systems to reconstruct the crash circumstances.
Traffic on Algonquin Road was affected for several hours during the investigation. Local residents expressed concern about poor visibility on that stretch of road at night, especially when vehicles are stopped without proper lighting. Some have called for improved street lighting and signage to help prevent similar accidents.
This fatal collision underscores the dangers of rear-end crashes involving passenger cars and large trucks, which often result in serious or fatal injuries due to the size difference between vehicles. Authorities remind drivers to remain vigilant, particularly at night, and urge commercial drivers to ensure their vehicles are visible and properly lit when stationary or moving slowly.
The Des Plaines Police Department encourages anyone with information or who witnessed the crash to contact them to assist in the ongoing investigation. As loved ones mourn the loss of Nazly Rodriguez-Munoz, police and investigators continue their efforts to determine the exact cause of this heartbreaking incident.